Official World Cup 2014 Qualifying Thread (Blame It On RIO)

[Jimmy Stang]

I'm happy with that win for Canada. It may not have been the prettiest at times, especially in the second, but I'd say that it was deserved. It obviously isn't "mission accomplished", but definitely a big step in the right direction.

Great atmosphere at BMO Field as well (from what I could see on TV). There hasn't been much to cheer about for Toronto fans this season, but they sure came out when it counted for Canada.

[GirlySports]

I watched most of Costa Rica-Mexico and Costa Rica are crap. And they'll still make the HEX so I'm confident if Canada makes it, they can handle Costa Rica easily. One team out of the way

[SebC]

TSN lineup after the Stamps/Eskies game:

Stamps/Eskies
Blue Jays/Red Sox
Yankies/Orioles
Rangers/Rays
Athletics/Mariners
New Orleans Saints suspensions update
US Open women's semis

... and then Canada/Panama

Yeah, that's right. Two baseball games with no Canadian teams get priority over Canada's national soccer team.

[Mango]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

I'm happy with that win for Canada. It may not have been the prettiest at times, especially in the second, but I'd say that it was deserved. It obviously isn't "mission accomplished", but definitely a big step in the right direction.

It really was. There were good moments and some bad moments, but kudos to Canada for not giving up and just getting it done. Tuesday is going to be a tough one. If they stay disciplined, I think they can do it. Things got a little testy at the end there.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I don't think I've ever seen a Canadian crowd like that. Keep playing at BMO!

Canada's so smart now, the coach has trained everyone! Canadian bench wouldn't give the ball back (that was hilarious) and even down to the ball kids who wouldn't give Panama a new ball either.

All these little things matter

This is why soccer is a joke and shouldn't even be considered a competitive sport.

[browna]

Originally Posted by SebC

TSN lineup after the Stamps/Eskies game:

Stamps/Eskies
Blue Jays/Red Sox
Yankies/Orioles
Rangers/Rays
Athletics/Mariners
New Orleans Saints suspensions update
US Open women's semis

... and then Canada/Panama

Yeah, that's right. Two baseball games with no Canadian teams get priority over Canada's national soccer team.

SNet was just as bad. Football, 3 of those same baseball games, and the 2nd round of the golf tournament...and Sportsnet showed the soccer game. Its one thing if its a grainy feed from Panama, but this was in Canada, and on the same network.

Pathetic coverage when this is a pretty big deal. A year from now, in the final round and hopefully on the verge of the WC, the networks will be all claiming themselves as Canada's soccer home and draping themselves in the flag.

Great result though. Seems like a long time that Canada's ever had more possession than that of a decent opponent. Pretty solid all around, and just goes to show the team itself what it's potential is.

Pull a point out of Tuesday, and things are looking really good for that final round which of course, as I predicted last year, qualification will somehow ensue just by getting through to that final round.

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by Bertuzzied

This is why soccer is a joke and shouldn't even be considered a competitive sport.

So why did you click on this thread then?

I'm glad they won, but I didn't like the antics at the end. The guy pretended to give them the ball and then pushed it under the bench. It was shameful.

[Bill Bumface]

I loved the tactics. They are going to have bags of piss hurled at their heads on Tuesday and every foul is going to go the other way. It's about god damn time we have home field advantage on a soccer pitch instead of waiting to see the Toronto skyline to figure out its a home game because the stadium is half empty and the only people there are opposition fans with hand drums. I thought it was great. You are coming to Canada to play against our national team? Well it's going to suck to be you.

[Magnum PEI]

Originally Posted by hulkrogan

I loved the tactics. They are going to have bags of piss hurled at their heads on Tuesday and every foul is going to go the other way. It's about god damn time we have home field advantage on a soccer pitch instead of waiting to see the Toronto skyline to figure out its a home game because the stadium is half empty and the only people there are opposition fans with hand drums. I thought it was great. You are coming to Canada to play against our national team? Well it's going to suck to be you.

You loved the diving and the shenanigans? We looked liked the friggin Canucks out there. And the guy on the bench who hid the ball was Burrows.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

You loved the diving and the shenanigans? We looked liked the friggin Canucks out there. And the guy on the bench who hid the ball was Burrows.

That's how soccer is. You saw the Panama #19 roll around on the ground like his head was shot off trying to get DeRo sent off. The refs in the region suck! They allow everything so you have to do it.

You're going to see absolutely ridiculous things on Tuesday in Panama City.

[Jimmy Stang]

Although the antics on both sides were a bit embarrassing at times, I'm a firm believer that Canada needs to deal with the Concacaf-isms by being mentally stronger and not by stooping to their level.

The game on Tuesday will probably be a gong show like all of the games in Central America are, but getting drawn into the stupidity won't benefit Canada at all.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Stang

Although the antics on both sides were a bit embarrassing at times, I'm a firm believer that Canada needs to deal with the Concacaf-isms by being mentally stronger and not by stooping to their level.

The game on Tuesday will probably be a gong show like all of the games in Central America are, but getting drawn into the stupidity won't benefit Canada at all.

Canada has to draw THEM into stupidity. Those Central American guys are absolute amateur hotheads. That's why when a Costa Rica or Honduras cheat their way to a World Cup, they're absolutely hopeless in front of a competent ref in a major competition.

Mexico used to be like this but now they are extremely professional and can play with the big boys without using such tactics.

[browna]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Mexico used to be like this but now they are extremely professional and can play with the big boys without using such tactics.

Until they fall behind in a game then they look for the Azteca Stadium advantage, and are actually worse with the antics because they believe they're far too good to face the injustice of being beaten by some other team. I am guessing that will be on full display next round.

As was mentioned, nice to take some advantage of a home country venue. Those are minor things to get in the heads of the opponent, and nothing to be "ashamed" of. I am guessing when they get to Panama, the dressing room will have an locker room who's door lock and toilet facilities are "under repair" and out of commission. Canadian players taking corners are taking of a risk of getting pelted with something not available in this country. And haven't even started with another central american referee who will be attempted to be intimidated by home fans and Panama players and coaches during the game.

Also, watching the replay later last night from the start, Panama's anthem is like the Stairway to Heaven of world anthems, given its length.

[shermanator]

One thing to note, Canada hasn't given up a goal in 5 straight games (of which 3 of the games were against Honduras, the USA, and Panama), and with the exception of a 3-1 friendly loss in Armenia, haven't given up a goal in a year.

The back line of Jazic, McKenna, Edgar and Hainault are quite strong and it's showing in the results. 3 goals against in their last 11 games all to one team. I think Hart deserves some credit on getting their back line in great form.

If this team consistently buries it's chances in the last 3 games I think we're in great shape to move on.

[Paladium]

I am just happy they didn't choke again - hopefully they are not waiting for the final round to do that.

[stampsx2]

Originally Posted by SebC

TSN lineup after the Stamps/Eskies game:

Stamps/Eskies
Blue Jays/Red Sox
Yankies/Orioles
Rangers/Rays
Athletics/Mariners
New Orleans Saints suspensions update
US Open women's semis

... and then Canada/Panama

Yeah, that's right. Two baseball games with no Canadian teams get priority over Canada's national soccer team.

Pathetic.

I wonder if the americans or mexicans would show a hockey game between ottawa and vancouver before showing their national soccer team?

[Matty81]

Hope they can get one point in Panama - a win at home to Cuba will almost certainly put them through then. I think greater attention from the national press will come if the results do. Also TSN and Sportsnet always bury properties they don't own, TSN doesn't support or cover the nats so that doesn't surprise me a whole lot (even if it is bush league).

In other CMNT news, Steven Vitoria, who quit Canada for Portugal on the eve of the World u-20 championship in his hometown in Canada a few years back, has become a pretty good starting CB in the Portugese top league and is talking about switching back to Canada.

The amount of mercenary behavior at the international level is pretty sickening... he is a very good young player though, for this cycle and the next.

I suspect the deeper Canada goes in qualifying the more plastic patriots will come out of the woodwork.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by stampsx2

Pathetic.

I wonder if the americans or mexicans would show a hockey game between ottawa and vancouver before showing their national soccer team?

The American match against Jamaica wasn't even on American tv anywhere.

Originally Posted by browna

Also, watching the replay later last night from the start, Panama's anthem is like the Stairway to Heaven of world anthems, given its length.

Canada is too polite. There's no way we should be playing the long version of any anthem.
The version on wikipedia is only 1:50.

[Montana Moe]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

The American match against Jamaica wasn't even on American tv anywhere.

Sure it was, beIN Sport had it on both satellite providers, as well as Comcast.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by Montana Moe

Sure it was, beIN Sport had it on both satellite providers, as well as Comcast.

Who has that? Is that worse than Versus? And it was only in Espanol and it was tape delayed was it not?

http://m.beinsport.tv/grid_2.html

ET 11:45 PM - 1:30 AM
PT 8:45 PM - 10:30 PM
CONCACAF WCQ 2014
Jamaica vs. USA


They showed Peru live first!



That would be like GolTV showing Canada instead of Sportsnet.